Kelvin Banks Jr. carted off with injury

David Banks-Imagn Images

By Ross Jackson

ATLANTA, Ga. – Already badly injured across the offensive line, the New Orleans Saints just watched a key piece to their offense leave the field with injury.

Early in the second quarter, rookie left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. was carted off with an apparent lower leg injury. Banks went down after a play, grabbing at his left ankle area. He received brief on-field treatment before walking off with the training staff, largely under his own power.

Banks was then evaluated in the injury tent before a cart was brought out to assist him off of the field.

While being carted off, Banks appeared to have no left shoe on, but didn’t seem to have any brace or wrap on.

The rookie left tackle started all 17 of his games in his first year and was noted as one of the best rookie lineman in the league, often left on an island to fend for himself with no chips or help from double-teams. The Saints had a lot of trust in the tackle to handle his own in big situations.